I found some time today to go and run tests on my resting GTV in the
driveway - I was pulling weeds yesterday. At least the weather cooperated
for it was very pleasant - almost 80 and sunny.
Test 1: reading 9.9v on the green-black wire when removed from the coil.
Turning the key off and on did not affect the reading. Same reading when
attached to the coil. Ran jumper wire directly from the battery positive
terminal to the coil (green-black wire removed). Car started but did not
stay that way for long; same symptoms as listed below. So much for the easy
fix.
Test 2: Using my brains' single Logic neuron, I went to test how much the
fuel system delivered. Per Wes's instructions, removed the return hose at
the FI pump, ran a longer hose to a gallon jug and let the fuel pump run for
1 min. Should be around .6 gal over one minute and it was.
Test 3: Tested fuel pressure right out of the front fuel filter with a
T-connection. My pressure gauge read slightly above 20 psi which is good.
Test 4: Removed front fuel filter and did not find anything unusual inside.
Replaced the filter along with new O-ring. Car was running as before - no
improvement.
Test 5: Check to see if 12v was getting to the fuel pump. It is: runs off a
relay with a new wire from the battery just to make sure it gets all the
voltage it requires.
Test 6: Started/started/started/started the car and then checked the spark
plugs to see if they were wet. None (Bosch 4-prong units from IAP) were so
all the plugs were firing.
Test 7: Examined the distributor cap and rotor. Neither were in the
greatest shape so put in new ones. Still no joy when see if it would stay
running.
Test 8: Removed altitude compensator to have a look at the spring inside the
FI pump. Still attached, under tension, and bright and shiny.
A few candidates left: the RML ignition system is dying on me, one or more
of the fuel injectors are clogged, or something is going on with the SPICA
pump.
Any ideas other areas I should investigate ??
Thanks,
Bruce
On Fri, Sep 30, 2011 at 9:54 AM, Bruce Giller <[email protected]> wrote:
> My '73 GTV suddenly developed a problem on the way to the track today (so
> much for any fun this weekend). It started up fine and idled easily in the
> driveway - like it always does. But just 100 yards down the road it died as
> I was shifting. After that I could get it to start and it would run and
> then the rpms would just slowly drops until dead. If I held the throttle
> down a bit it might stay running a bit longer but not by much. I started it
> about 20 times with the same results - the engine ran strong (read normal
> sounding) after catching and then fall off. I was able to get it back to
> the house by holding the throttle almost to the floor (no power at all to go
> up even a modest incline) and re-starting it when it died. Needless to say
> I had some very choice words to say to it....
>
> It sounds very much like a gasoline supply problem but the low pressure
> fuel light which is on before turning the key, was off quickly after hearing
> the fuel pump running - the fuel pump was running all the time. My current
> suspect is water in the gas but I thought that water would prevent it from
> starting easily which isn't the case. And it drove nicely yesterday
> afternoon on the same tank of gas.
>
> Any ideas where I should investigate? If I can get it fixed by Sat. I can
> drive up to Summit Point on Sunday to get at least one day of track time
> this year.
>
> Bruce
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